THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012   ECONOMICS: Ryan budget passes committee by one vote http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/budget/217503-ryan-budget-passes-committee-by-single-vote The House Budget Committee approved Chairman Paul Ryan’s 2013 budget resolution on Wednesday night by a close vote of 19 to 18. Two conservative Republicans voted against the Ryan plan, which cuts spending by $5.3 trillion over ten years, because it … Continue reading →

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012   ECONOMICS: EDITORIAL: The Careless House Budget http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/opinion/the-careless-house-budget.html As he rolled out his 2013 budget on Tuesday, Paul Ryan, the House Budget Committee chairman, correctly said that he and his fellow Republicans were offering the country a choice of two very clear futures. The one he outlined in his plan could … Continue reading →

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012   ECONOMICS: House GOP set to move on debt package http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74209.html Trying to get their mojo back, House Republicans hope to move quickly this spring with a $261 billion deficit-reduction package to forestall automatic spending cuts next January that would fall heavily on defense. The full details won’t be released until … Continue reading →

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2012   ECONOMICS: GOP on budget: Bitten, but not shy http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74158.html For the second year running, Republicans are betting big on the budget. Despite getting hammered by Democrats last year, the GOP is gambling that going big and bold on their fiscal blueprint — think major changes to Medicare and Medicaid — … Continue reading →

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012   ECONOMICS: Jobless claims fall, manufacturing holds up http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-jobless-claims-idUSBRE82E0LV20120316 Economic growth showed signs of becoming more self-sustaining as the number of Americans claiming new jobless benefits fell back to a four-year low last week and manufacturing activity in the Northeast picked up this month. But the impact of higher oil prices … Continue reading →

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012   ECONOMICS: Budget Feud Erupts Again http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303863404577281852993334574.html Republicans are likely to unveil a budget plan next week that will cut 2013 federal spending below the level the two parties negotiated last August, prompting Democrats to complain that they are reneging on the agreement. GOP leaders respond that the figure, reached after … Continue reading →

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012   ECONOMICS: House Republican leaders set to break budget deal http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/14/us-usa-politics-budget-idUSBRE82D06V20120314 Republican leaders in the House of Representatives are ready to break a hard-fought budget deal with Democrats as they try to quell a revolt by conservatives who are insisting on deeper spending cuts ahead of the November elections. House Republican … Continue reading →

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012   ECONOMICS: Fed seen biding time, assessing jobs gains http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/13/us-usa-fed-idUSBRE82C09D20120313 The Federal Reserve on Tuesday is expected to hold a steady course on monetary policy, acknowledging a mildly brighter economic outlook while refraining from any suggestion that further easing is now off the table. Indeed, the central bank, sifting through conflicting … Continue reading →

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012   ECONOMICS: Latest Stress Tests Are Expected to Show Progress at Most Banks http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/12/business/new-stress-tests-expected-to-show-progress-at-most-banks.html In another milestone in the banking industry’s recovery from the financial crisis, the Federal Reserve this week will release the results of its latest stress tests, which are expected to show broadly improved balance sheets at most … Continue reading →

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012   ECONOMICS: OPINION: The Merits of a Corporate Tax Overhaul Laura D’Andrea Tyson http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/09/the-merits-of-a-corporate-tax-overhaul/ Corporate tax reform is not usually a major issue in a presidential campaign, but it may be this year. President Obama has introduced a bold framework for a business tax overhaul. His framework is already under attack from … Continue reading →